I just found a piece of something white in my hair. It was this big. She shoved a piece of lined notebook paper at me. A dot the size of an aspirin had been scribbled down in bright red pen. I didn’t know what it was so I threw it in the fire and burned it, but I made a picture so you could see.

I began checking the base of her neck and behind her ears.

It was in my bangs. I found it in my bangs, she said desperate.

No lice, I said soon enough. Her breathing and heart rate began their return to normal.

Girl two at bed time:

Are there nuns in our country?

Yes.

In our country?

Yes.

Good. I want to be a nun.

That’s nice.

She smiled dreamy then frowned.

But there is a problem, she said in a lowered voice. She furrowed her eye brows.

What is the problem?

I’m going to be a figure skater. Her mouth drooped heavily.

Why don’t you be a figure skating nun, I say delighted with the picture in my mind of skater in full habit with wimple gliding past a tights and tutu girl to start her long program . Girl two’s eyes brightened with joy.

That’s perfect, she said, a broad smile filling her face. She crossed her arms content. That’s exactly what I’ll do.

I am friends with a few Nuns – what beautiful women! Long story but I can still picture Sister Philomena swinging on the school yard swingset with her habit blowing and the biggest smile on her face. To me your little one being a figure skating nun really isn’t a stetch at all! (side note I run a girls club at our Church and I am going to ask the sisters to come visit and teach the girls about their vocation)